We offer versatile, applied programs that help prepare you for fields such as Clinical
Psychology, School Psychology, Forensic Psychology, Sport Psychology, Counseling,
Social Work, and other behavioral and mental health fields.
The Department of Psychology is a student-focused and innovative unit that serves
the university community.
Vision Statement
Engaging students, changing lives.
Mission Statement
The Department of Psychology is a student-focused and collaborative unit with applied
undergraduate and graduate programs that serve the university community and beyond.
The Department of Psychology:
Provides quality teaching, training, and advising of students with an emphasis on
preparation for employment or graduate study.
Produces applied and basic research that include opportunities for student collaboration.
Supports a team environment where faculty members collaborate and work together with
the goals of advancing our students, faculty, department, university, and profession.
Doctor of Psychology in Applied Psychology with a Concentration in Clinical Psychology
The Doctor of Psychology (Psy.D.) in Applied Psychology focuses on evidence-based
practice, and training supervisors, using a cognitive-behavioral orientation. The
Psy.D. is an applied practice degree in the behavioral (or mental) health field. The
program follows a practitioner/scholar model of training (also known as the Vail model),
promoting application of the foundational knowledge of the science of psychology to
clinical practice and the development of interpersonal and scientific skills for use
in implementing and evaluating practice.
School psychologists engage in a wide variety of roles within school systems. School
psychology services need to be tailored to the particular needs of each child and
each situation. Thus, no matter what the role, a school psychologist must be able
to evaluate a situation and problem-solve solutions. The WKU school psychology program
emphasizes the role of the school psychologist as that of a problem solver who relies
upon data-based decision-making.
Master of Arts in Psychology: Clinical Concentration
The Clinical Psychology concentration of the Master of Arts program in Psychology
at WKU is a 2-year concentration that follows the scientist/practitioner model of
training. It prepares students to be successful performing both research and therapy.
The concentration is practice-oriented, offering a broad foundation for the professional
who will render a wide variety of psychological services at the M.A. level. Graduates
obtain employment in mental health centers, rehabilitation centers, college counseling
centers, and various other mental health agencies. Many graduates choose to pursue
further education at the doctoral level and are successful in these endeavors. The
program holds a primarily Cognitive Behavioral theoretical orientation. The concentration
prepares students for the national ASPPB certification examination, required to practice
psychology in many states.
Doctor of Psychology in Applied Psychology with a Concentration in Clinical Psychology
The Doctor of Psychology (Psy.D.) in Applied Psychology focuses on evidence-based
practice, and training supervisors, using a cognitive-behavioral orientation. The
Psy.D. is an applied practice degree in the behavioral (or mental) health field. The
program follows a practitioner/scholar model of training (also known as the Vail model),
promoting application of the foundational knowledge of the science of psychology to
clinical practice and the development of interpersonal and scientific skills for use
in implementing and evaluating practice.
High quality teaching, training, and advising of students with an emphasis on rigor,
pursuit of continual improvement, and preparation for employment or graduate study.
Our Students Are Active Researchers
The Department of Psychology offers many opportunities for students to gain research
experience, including the ability to earn course credit for working in a research
lab.
Serving the Commonwealth
Applied undergraduate and graduate programs that produce practitioner-scholars prepared
to serve the Commonwealth of Kentucky and beyond.
Research in the Department of Psychology
Our students are active researchers in psychology laboratories and research groups.
The Department of Psychology offers many opportunities for students to gain research
experience, including the ability to earn course credit for working in a research
lab. Previous research experience is NOT necessary!
